Display control device and program

ABSTRACT

A display control device for displaying a first display area and a second display area on a screen comprises: first control means for controlling at least one of the configuration, display content, character input direction and arrangement position of the first display area; and second control means for controlling at least one of the configuration, display content and arrangement position of the second display area based on the result of the control by the first control means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display control device and a programfor displaying a plurality of display areas on a screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Systems capable of displaying a plurality of windows (in which messagesand data during work are displayed) on a display of a PC (PersonalComputer), etc. as a type of user interface GUI (Graphic User Interface)environment for graphically displaying buttons and menus are well known.Such systems can improve the operability of PCs by the visual effectachieved by the display of a plurality of windows.

One of such systems has been described in Japanese Patent ProvisionalPublication No. 2000-112613. The system of the Publication is capable ofdisplaying a window while partitioning it into a plurality of areascalled “panes”, displaying a plurality of independent windows, etc. foruse of a piece of application software.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, when a plurality of panes are displayed in a window, theconfiguration of a pane restricts configurations of other panes, bywhich viewability of a pane can be deteriorated. Meanwhile, when aplurality of independent windows are displayed on the screen, some ofthe windows may overlap with one another due to the limitation of theviewable range on the screen, by which viewability of the windows canget worse. Such deterioration of the viewability of application softwarelowers operability of the application software. In such cases, the userhas to adjust the configurations, arrangement positions, etc. of thepanes or windows on the screen by manual operation so that displaystatus of the panes/windows will be optimum. Such work is troublesome tothe user, deteriorating the operability of the application software.

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide adisplay control device and a program improving the viewability andoperability of application software having a plurality of display areas.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda display control device for displaying a first display area and asecond display area on a screen, comprising: first control means forcontrolling at least one of a configuration, display content, characterinput direction and arrangement position of the first display area; andsecond control means for controlling at least one of a configuration,display content and arrangement position of the second display areabased on result of control by the first control means.

By the above configuration, at least one of the configuration, displaycontent and arrangement position of the second display area is adjustedautomatically based on the status of the first display area, by whichthe viewability and operability of application software can be improved.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a program for displaying a first display area and a seconddisplay area on a screen, instructing a computer to function as: firstcontrol means for controlling at least one of a configuration, displaycontent, character input direction and arrangement position of the firstdisplay area; and second control means for controlling at least one of aconfiguration, display content and arrangement position of the seconddisplay area based on result of control by the first control means.

By the above configuration, at least one of the configuration, displaycontent and arrangement position of the second display area is adjustedautomatically based on the status of the first display area, by whichthe viewability and operability of application software can be improved.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a display control device for controlling display on a screen,comprising first control means for controlling status of an editing areafor editing work and second control means for controlling status of anauxiliary area for displaying information for assisting the editing workin the editing area depending on a change of the status of the editingarea made by the first control means.

By the above configuration, the status of the auxiliary area is adjustedautomatically based on the status of the editing area, by which theviewability and operability of application software can be improved.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a display control device for controlling display on a screen,comprising first control means for controlling status of a print areawith respect to an editing area for editing work and second controlmeans for executing control so as to change status of an auxiliary areafor displaying information for assisting the editing work in the editingarea depending on a change of status of the editing area with respect tothe print area made by the first control means.

By the above configuration, the status of the auxiliary area is adjustedautomatically based on the status of the print area with respect to theediting area, by which the viewability and operability of applicationsoftware can be improved.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for controlling display on a screen, comprising thesteps of: detecting status of an editing area for editing work, judgingwhether a change of status of an auxiliary area for displayinginformation for assisting the editing work in the editing area isnecessary or not based on the detection of the status of the editingarea, and changing the status of the auxiliary area when the change isjudged to be necessary.

By the above configuration, the status of the auxiliary area can beadjusted automatically based on the status of the editing area, by whichthe viewability and operability of application software can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the composition of a PC as a displaycontrol device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an operation screen of an editor activated onthe PC of FIG. 1, in a state in which a display status control functionhas been turned off.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation screen of the editor activatedon the PC of FIG. 1 when a change has been made to let a print area bewide in the horizontal direction.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation screen of the editor activatedon the PC of FIG. 1 when a change has been made to let the print area belong in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the operation screen of the editor activatedon the PC of FIG. 1 when the direction of character input into anediting area has been changed to the vertical direction.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation screen of the editor activatedon the PC of FIG. 1 when the character input direction in the editingarea is changed to the horizontal direction when sample display has beenplaced in an auxiliary area.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation screen of the editor activatedon the PC of FIG. 1 when the character input direction in the editingarea is changed to the vertical direction when sample display has beenplaced in the auxiliary area.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the operation screen of the editor activatedon the PC of FIG. 1 when the display range of the editing area isenlarged when the auxiliary area has been displayed in pane display.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the operation screen of the editor activatedon the PC of FIG. 1 when the auxiliary area has been displayed infloating display.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the operation screen of the editoractivated on the PC of FIG. 1 when the auxiliary area has been displayedin the floating display.

FIG. 11 is shows an example of the operation screen of the editoractivated on the PC of FIG. 1 when a setting window for setting thecontents of the display status control function has been activated.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the editoractivated on the PC of FIG. 1 for automatic adjustment of paneconfiguration based on the change of arrangement direction of the printarea.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the editoractivated on the PC of FIG. 1 for the automatic adjustment of the paneconfiguration based on the change of the character input direction inthe editing area.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the editoractivated on the PC of FIG. 1 for automatic adjustment of the sampledisplay.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the editoractivated on the PC of FIG. 1 for automatic switching between thefloating display and pane display.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a process executed by the editoractivated on the PC of FIG. 1 for automatic adjustment of floatingposition.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a description will be given in detail ofpreferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

The composition of a display control device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention will be described below referring toFIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the composition of a PC(Personal Computer) 1 which functions as the display control device. ThePC 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 5, aCD-ROM drive 6, an interface 7, a display 8 and an operation unit 9which are connected together by a system bus 10. The PC 1 is connectedto a printing device 11 via the interface 7.

The CPU 2 is a central processing unit for controlling the PC 1. The CPU2 communicates instructions, data, etc. with all devices in the PC 1 viathe system bus 10. The CPU 2 reads out an OS (Operating System) andapplication software from the HDD 5 and executes them.

The ROM 3 is a read-only storage device forming a part of a main memoryspace used by the CPU 2. The ROM 3 stores a program for starting up theOS of the PC 1, etc. The RAM 4 is a readable/writable volatile storagedevice, which also forms a part of the main memory space of the CPU 2similarly to the ROM 3.

The HDD 5 is a readable/writable storage device and its reading device.The HDD 5 stores software like an OS 21, an editor 22, a printer driver23, etc. The OS 21 is the aforementioned operating system for operatingthe PC 1. Incidentally, the PC 1 employs Microsoft Windows (registeredtrademark) as the operating system.

The editor 22 is application software run on the OS 21, having functionsfor creation and editing of content to be printed by the printing device11 and for the printing of the content. The editor 22 also has a displaystatus control function for controlling display status of windowsdisplayed on the display 2. The printer driver 23 provides theapplication programs (editor 22, etc.) with a function of carrying outprinting by use of the printing device 11.

The CD-ROM drive 6 is a device for reading out information from a CD-ROMas a record medium. The CD-ROM drive 6 is used, for example, forinstalling the OS 21, the editor 22, the printer driver 23, etc. (storedin a CD-ROM) in the HDD 5. The interface 7 is an interface (e.g. USB(Universal Serial Bus) interface) for connecting the PC 1 with externaldevices like the printing device 11. The display 8 is a display devicesuch as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 9 is a device(keyboard, mouse, etc.) used for operating the PC 1. The user givesinstructions to the PC 1 by operating the keyboard, mouse, etc.

The printing device 11 is a device for printing on a tape-like printmedium (rectangular print medium whose length in a particular directionis variable). The printing device 11 may either be an ordinary printingdevice using ordinary print sheets as the print media or a labelprinting device using ID labels for stamps as the print media.

Next, an operation screen of the editor 22 which is activated on the PC1 will be described below referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an exampleof the operation screen of the editor 22 in a state in which the displaystatus control function (explained later) has been turned off.

A window 31 shown in FIG. 2 includes a menu bar 32, an editing area 33and an auxiliary area 41. The menu bar 32 is an area in which a menu foroperating the editor 22 is displayed. By making a selection from menuitems arranged in the menu bar 32, any one of the functions of theeditor 22 can be carried out. For example, the user hoping to change thedirection of display content in the editing area 33 clicks a button“View (V)” in the menu bar 32 with the mouse, by which a menu, to whichfunctions of the editor 22 regarding display (View) have been assigned,is displayed. Then, the user further clicks a part of the displayed menuregarding the change of the direction of the display content in theediting area 33. Other functions of the editor 22 can also be called andcarried out similarly.

The editing area 33 is an area used for creating or editing printcontent to be printed by the printing device 11. The editing area 33includes a print area 34 (as the display content of the editing area 33)and scroll bars 51. The print area 34 is an area which is partitionedimitating the configuration of a print sheet as the print medium. Eachediting operation in the print area 34 is directly incorporated in theprinting on the print sheet, that is, the editor 22 realizes theso-called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). The scroll bars 51 arebars to be used for scrolling the content being displayed in the editingarea 33.

The auxiliary area 41 is an area for assisting the creation/editing ofthe print content in the editing area 33. In the auxiliary area 41,function icons 42 a-42 c are arranged. The function icons 42 a-42 c areicons representing functions frequently used in the editing area 33,such as a character decoration function, an image input function and animage deformation function, for example. By clicking a function icon 42a-42 c with the mouse or dragging the function icon to the editing area33, a function which has been assigned to the function icon is executed.Incidentally, the contents of the function icons 42 a-42 c and thenumber of icons can be changed freely by settings made by the user.

The auxiliary area 41 is capable of displaying not only the functionicons 42 a-42 c but also various data for assisting the creation/editingof the print content in the editing area 33. For example, modelsentences (samples) to be inputted to the editing area 33 can bedisplayed in the editing area 33 (see FIG. 6). The auxiliary area 41 isdisplayed according to two display methods: pane display (displaying theauxiliary area 41 as a pane built in the window 31) and floating display(displaying the auxiliary area 41 as a window independent of the window31).

In the editor 22, the display statuses of the editing area 33, the printarea 34 and the auxiliary area 41 can be adjusted freely by operationsperformed by the user. In the example of FIG. 2, the editing area 33 andthe auxiliary area 41 are built in the window 31 to partition the window31 horizontally (with the editing area 33, print area 34 and auxiliaryarea 41 being relatively long in the vertical direction). In sucharrangement, the auxiliary area 41 restricts the width of the editingarea 33 in the horizontal direction (narrowing the viewable range of theediting area 33 in the horizontal direction), by which viewability andoperability of the print area 34 being wide in the horizontal directionare deteriorated. In this editor 22, the configuration, display contentand arrangement position of the auxiliary area 41 are adjusted andoptimized so as to avoid the deterioration of the viewability andoperability of the editing area 32 when the user has made a setting forenabling the display status control function.

The CPU 2 executes commands according to the program of the editor 22stored in the HDD 5, by which the PC 1 functions as the editor 22. TheCPU 2 (operating according to the program of the editor 22) functions asa first control means for controlling the configuration, displaycontent, character input direction and arrangement position of theediting area 33 according to mouse/keyboard operations performed by theuser. The CPU 2 also functions as a second control means for controllingthe configuration, display content and arrangement position of theauxiliary area 41 based on the result of control by the first controlmeans. In short, the PC 1 implements the display status control functionby the function of the second control means.

Next, the details of the display status control function will beexplained below. The display status control function is a function forchanging at least one of the configuration, display content andarrangement position of the auxiliary area 41 based on the status of theediting area 33 which has been changed by instructions from the user.The display status control function includes: (1) automatic adjustmentof pane configuration, (2) automatic adjustment of sample display, (3)automatic switching between floating display and pane display, and (4)automatic adjustment of floating position. The above functions will beexplained below one by one.

First, the “(1) automatic adjustment of pane configuration” will beexplained referring to FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 3 shows an example of theoperation screen when the arrangement direction of the print area 34 hasbeen changed to let the print area 34 be wide in the horizontaldirection. FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation screen when thearrangement direction of the print area 34 has been changed to let theprint area 34 be long in the vertical direction. FIG. 5 shows an exampleof the operation screen when the direction of character input into theediting area 33 has been changed to the vertical direction.Incidentally, an example of the operation screen when the characterinput direction in the editing area 33 has been changed to thehorizontal direction is shown in FIG. 3.

The “automatic adjustment of pane configuration” means changing of theconfiguration of the auxiliary area 41 (built in as a pane of the window31) based on the result of the change of the status of the editing area33 made by the user. The change of the status of the editing area 33includes: (a) change of arrangement direction of the print area 34, and(b) change of character input direction in the editing area 33.

First, the automatic adjustment of pane configuration based on theresult of the “(a) change of arrangement direction of the print area 34”will be explained. The “change of arrangement direction of the printarea 34” means changing of the direction of the print area 34 beingarranged in the editing area 33.

Specifically, in a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the pane display, when the arrangement direction of theprint area 34 is changed by the user to let the print area 34 be wide inthe horizontal direction, the configuration of the auxiliary area 41 ischanged by the display status control function into pane displayvertically partitioning the window 31 as shown in FIG. 3. In thisauxiliary area 41, the function icons 42 a-42 c are also arranged in thehorizontal direction. By the vertical arrangement of the editing area 33and the auxiliary area 41 in the window 31, the viewable range of theprint area 34 in the horizontal direction is enlarged as is clear fromthe comparison with FIG. 2.

In a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is being displayed in the panedisplay, when the arrangement direction of the print area 34 is changedby the user to let the print area 34 be long in the vertical direction,the configuration of the auxiliary area 41 is changed by the displaystatus control function into pane display horizontally partitioning thewindow 31 as shown in FIG. 4. In this auxiliary area 41, the functionicons 42 a-42 c are also arranged in the vertical direction. By thehorizontal arrangement of the editing area 33 and the auxiliary area 41in the window 31, the viewable range of the print area 34 in thevertical direction is enlarged as is clear from the comparison with FIG.3. As a result, the operability and viewability of the editing area 33can be improved.

Next, the automatic adjustment of pane configuration based on the resultof the “(b) change of character input direction in the editing area 33”will be explained. The “change of character input direction in theediting area 33” means changing of the character input direction in theediting area 33 to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

Specifically, in a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the pane display, when the character input direction in theediting area 33 is changed by the user to the horizontal direction, theconfiguration of the auxiliary area 41 is changed by the display statuscontrol function into the pane display vertically partitioning thewindow 31 as shown in FIG. 3. In this auxiliary area 41, the functionicons 42 a-42 c are arranged in the horizontal direction. By thevertical arrangement of the editing area 33 and the auxiliary area 41 inthe window 31, the viewable range of the editing area 33 in thehorizontal direction is enlarged as is clear from the comparison withFIG. 2.

In a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is being displayed in the panedisplay, when the character input direction in the editing area 33 ischanged by the user to the vertical direction, the configuration of theauxiliary area 41 is changed by the display status control function intothe pane display horizontally partitioning the window 31 as shown inFIG. 5. In this auxiliary area 41, the function icons 42 a-42 c arearranged in the vertical direction. By the horizontal arrangement of theediting area 33 and the auxiliary area 41 in the window 31, the viewablerange of the editing area 33 in the vertical direction is enlarged as isclear from the comparison with FIG. 3. As a result, the character inputinto the editing area 33 is facilitated.

Next, the “(2) automatic adjustment of sample display” will be explainedreferring to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows an example of the operationscreen when the character input direction in the editing area 33 ischanged to the horizontal direction when sample display 43 has beenplaced in the auxiliary area 41. FIG. 7 shows an example of theoperation screen when the character input direction in the editing area33 is changed to the vertical direction when sample display 43 has beenplaced in the auxiliary area 41.

The “automatic adjustment of sample display” means changing of thedirection of display content of the sample display 43 placed in theauxiliary area 41 to the vertical direction or the horizontal directionbased on the result of the change of the character input direction inthe editing area 33 made by the user.

The “sample display 43” means a display area for displaying samples ofcontent to be inputted to the editing area 33. The sample display 43 canbe activated in the auxiliary area 41 by calling a sample displayfunction from the menu bar 32. The user can select a desired sample fromthe samples displayed in the sample display 43 and input the selectedsample to the editing area 33. For example, when the user calls a sampledisplay function regarding greeting messages from the menu bar 32,samples of greeting messages are displayed in the sample display area43.

Specifically, in a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the pane display, when the character input direction in theediting area 33 is changed by the user to the horizontal direction, thedirection of the display content of the sample display 43 in theauxiliary area 41 is changed by the display status control function tothe horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 6. By the automatic change ofthe direction of the display content of the sample display 43 into thehorizontal direction (according to the character input direction of theediting area 33), the display content of the sample display 43 can bemaintained in the same direction as the character input direction of theediting area 33.

In a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is being displayed in the panedisplay, when the character input direction in the editing area 33 ischanged by the user to the vertical direction, the direction of thedisplay content of the sample display 43 in the auxiliary area 41 ischanged by the display status control function to the vertical directionas shown in FIG. 7. By the automatic change of the direction of thedisplay content of the sample display 43 into the vertical direction(according to the character input direction of the editing area 33), thedisplay content of the sample display 43 can be maintained in the samedirection as the character input direction of the editing area 33. As aresult, the user can make reference to the content of the sample display43 more easily during the character input into the editing area 33.

Next, the “(3) automatic switching between floating display and panedisplay” will be explained referring to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an exampleof the operation screen when the display range of the editing area 33 isenlarged when the auxiliary area 41 has been displayed in the panedisplay.

The “automatic switching between floating display and pane display”means switching of the configuration of the auxiliary area 41 into thefloating display (displaying the auxiliary area 41 as a windowindependent of the window 31) or the pane display (displaying theauxiliary area 41 as a pane built in the window 31) based on the resultof a change of the display range of the editing area 33 made by theuser.

Specifically, in a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the pane display as shown in FIGS. 2-7, when the displayrange of the editing area 33 is enlarged by the user to be larger than aprescribed range, the configuration of the auxiliary area 41 is switchedby the display status control function to the floating display as shownin FIG. 8. When the configuration of the auxiliary area 41 is switchedto the floating display as above, the display range of the auxiliaryarea 41 is automatically changed depending on the number of functionicons 42 a-42 c being displayed in the auxiliary area 41. Consequently,the display range of the editing area 33 gets still larger when thenumber of function icons 42 a-42 c displayed in the auxiliary area 41 issmall.

Further, the user can further enlarge the display range of the editingarea 33 by moving the auxiliary area 41 being displayed in the floatingdisplay or further reducing the display range of the auxiliary area 41,by which the viewability and operability of the editing area 33 can beimproved further.

In the state in which the auxiliary area 41 is being displayed in thefloating display as shown in FIG. 8, when the display range of theediting area 33 is reduced by the user to be smaller than a prescribedrange by dragging the outer frame of the window 31, the configuration ofthe auxiliary area 41 is switched by the display status control functionto the pane display as shown in FIG. 5. As a result, the area used bythe editor 22 gets smaller.

Next, the “(4) automatic adjustment of floating position” will beexplained referring to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIGS. 9 and 10 show examples ofthe operation screen on a screen 53 when the arrangement position of theediting area 34 is changed when the auxiliary area 41 has been displayedin the floating display.

The “automatic adjustment of floating position” means changing of thearrangement position of the auxiliary area 41 in the floating display soas to maximize the viewable range of the editing area 33 based on theresult of the change of the arrangement position of the editing area 33made by the user.

Specifically, in a state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the floating display, when the editing area 33 is moved bythe user to the upper left of the screen 53 together with the window 31,the arrangement position of the auxiliary area 41 is changed by thedisplay status control function to the lower right of the screen 53 (tothe opposite side of the window 31) as shown in FIG. 9. On the otherhand, when the editing area 33 is moved by the user to the lower rightof the screen 53 together with the window 31, the arrangement positionof the auxiliary area 41 is changed by the display status controlfunction to the upper left of the screen 53 (to the opposite side of thewindow 31) as shown in FIG. 10. As above, the arrangement position ofthe auxiliary area 41 is automatically adjusted by the display statuscontrol function so as to constantly maximize the viewable range of theediting area 33. As a result, the overlapping area between the auxiliaryarea 41 and the editing area 33 is reduced and the display range of theediting area 33 is enlarged, by which the viewability and operability ofthe editing area 33 can be maintained even when the editing area 33 ismoved.

Next, settings regarding the display status control function will beexplained below referring to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows an example of theoperation screen when a setting window 52 for setting the contents ofthe display status control function has been activated. A setting window52 for the display status control function like the one shown in FIG. 11is displayed when a function for setting the display status controlfunction is called from the menu arranged in the menu bar 32. In thesetting window 52, check boxes “AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF PANECONFIGURATION”, “AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF SAMPLE DISPLAY”, “AUTOMATICSWITCHING BETWEEN FLOATING AND PANE” and “AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OFFLOATING POSITION” are arranged. When the check box “AUTOMATICADJUSTMENT OF PANE CONFIGURATION” is checked, radio buttons “BASED ONSHEET DIRECTION” and “BASED ON CHARACTER INPUT DIRECTION” are displayedin the frame.

By checking the check box “AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF PANE CONFIGURATION”and selecting the radio button “BASED ON SHEET DIRECTION”, the displaystatus control function is set to execute the aforementioned “(1)(a)automatic adjustment of pane configuration based on the change ofarrangement direction of the print area 34”. Meanwhile, by checking thecheck box “AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF PANE CONFIGURATION” and selecting theradio button “BASED ON CHARACTER INPUT DIRECTION”, the display statuscontrol function is set to execute the aforementioned “(1)(b) automaticadjustment of pane configuration based on the change of character inputdirection in the editing area 33”.

When the check box “AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF SAMPLE DISPLAY” is checked,the display status control function is set to execute the aforementioned“(2) automatic adjustment of sample display”. When the check box“AUTOMATIC SWITCHING BETWEEN FLOATING AND PANE” is checked, the displaystatus control function is set to execute the aforementioned “(3)automatic switching between floating display and pane display”. When thecheck box “AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF FLOATING POSITION” is checked, thedisplay status control function is set to execute the aforementioned“(4) automatic adjustment of floating position”.

As above, the user can change the contents of the display status controlfunction freely by changing the settings in the setting window 52, bywhich the adjustment of the configuration, display content andarrangement position of the auxiliary area 41 can be set according tothe intention of the user.

Next, processes executed for the display status control function will bedescribed below referring to FIGS. 12-16. FIG. 12 is a flow chartshowing a process for the automatic adjustment of the pane configurationbased on the change of the arrangement direction of the print area 34.FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a process for the automatic adjustmentof the pane configuration based on the change of the character inputdirection in the editing area 33. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing aprocess for the automatic adjustment of the sample display. FIG. 15 is aflow chart showing a process for the automatic switching between thefloating display and pane display. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing aprocess for the automatic adjustment of the floating position. Theprocesses shown in FIGS. 12-16 are called at prescribed intervals whilethe editor 22 is operating and executed under the control by the CPU 2.

First, the process for the “(1)(a) automatic adjustment of paneconfiguration based on the change of arrangement direction of the printarea 34” will be described below. As shown in FIG. 12, the processadvances to step S110 (hereinafter abbreviated as “S110”, ditto for thefollowing steps) and whether the direction of the print area 34 has beenchanged by the user in the state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the pane display or not is judged. If the direction of theprint area 34 has not been changed (S110: NO), the process of FIG. 12 isended.

If the direction of the print area 34 has been changed (S110: YES), theprocess advances to S120 and whether the setting for executing the“automatic adjustment of pane configuration based on the change ofarrangement direction of the print area 34” has been made through thesetting window 52 or not is judged. If the setting has not been made(S120: NO), the process of FIG. 12 is ended.

If the setting for executing the “automatic adjustment of paneconfiguration based on the change of arrangement direction of the printarea 34” has been made (S120: YES), the process advances to S130 andwhether the auxiliary area 41 in the pane display is being displayed inan optimum configuration or not is judged. Specifically, in cases wherethe arrangement direction of the print area 34 has been changed by theuser to let the print area 34 be wide in the horizontal direction, theauxiliary area 41 in the pane display is judged to be being displayed inthe optimum configuration if the auxiliary area 41 is in the panedisplay vertically partitioning the window 31. In cases where thearrangement direction of the print area 34 has been changed by the userto let the print area 34 be long in the vertical direction, theauxiliary area 41 in the pane display is judged to be being displayed inthe optimum configuration if the auxiliary area 41 is in the panedisplay horizontally partitioning the window 31.

If the auxiliary area 41 in the pane display is being displayed in theoptimum configuration (S130: YES), the process of FIG. 12 is ended. Ifthe auxiliary area 41 in the pane display is not being displayed in theoptimum configuration (S130: NO), the process advances to S140 and thepane display of the auxiliary area 41 is changed to the aforementionedoptimum configuration. Thereafter, the process of FIG. 12 is ended.

Next, the process for the “(1)(b) automatic adjustment of paneconfiguration based on the change of character input direction in theediting area 33” will be described below. Referring to FIG. 13, in thefirst S210, whether the character input direction in the editing area 33has been changed by the user in the state in which the auxiliary area 41is being displayed in the pane display or not is judged. If thecharacter input direction in the editing area 33 has not been changed(S210: NO), the process of FIG. 13 is ended. If the character inputdirection in the editing area 33 has been changed (S210: YES), theprocess advances to S220 and whether the setting for executing the“automatic adjustment of pane configuration based on the change ofcharacter input direction in the editing area 33” has been made by theuser through the setting window 52 or not is judged. If the setting hasnot been made (S220: NO), the process of FIG. 13 is ended.

If the setting for executing the “automatic adjustment of paneconfiguration based on the change of character input direction in theediting area 33” has been made (S220: YES), the process advances to S230and whether the auxiliary area 41 in the pane display is being displayedin an optimum configuration or not is judged. Specifically, in caseswhere the character input direction in the print area 34 has beenchanged by the user to the horizontal direction, the auxiliary area 41in the pane display is judged to be being displayed in the optimumconfiguration if the auxiliary area 41 is in the pane display verticallypartitioning the window 31. In cases where the character input directionin the print area 34 has been changed by the user to the verticaldirection, the auxiliary area 41 in the pane display is judged to bebeing displayed in the optimum configuration if the auxiliary area 41 isin the pane display horizontally partitioning the window 31.

If the auxiliary area 41 in the pane display is being displayed in theoptimum configuration (S230: YES), the process of FIG. 13 is ended. Ifthe auxiliary area 41 in the pane display is not being displayed in theoptimum configuration (S230: NO), the process advances to S240 and thepane display of the auxiliary area 41 is changed to the aforementionedoptimum configuration. Thereafter, the process of FIG. 13 is ended.

Next, the process for the “(2) automatic adjustment of sample display”will be described below. Referring to FIG. 14, in the first S310,whether the character input direction in the editing area 33 has beenchanged by the user in the state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the pane display or not is judged. If the character inputdirection in the editing area 33 has not been changed (S310: NO), theprocess of FIG. 14 is ended. If the character input direction in theediting area 33 has been changed (S310: YES), the process advances toS320 and whether the setting for executing the “automatic adjustment ofsample display” has been made by the user through the setting window 52or not is judged. If the setting has not been made (S320: NO), theprocess of FIG. 14 is ended.

If the setting for executing the “automatic adjustment of sampledisplay” has been made (S320: YES), the process advances to S330 andwhether the direction of the display content of the sample display 43 isidentical with the character input direction in the print area 34 whichhas been changed by the user or not is judged. Specifically, whether thedirection of the display content of the sample display 43 is thehorizontal/vertical direction or not is judged when the character inputdirection in the print area 34 changed by the user is thehorizontal/vertical direction. If the direction of the display contentof the sample display 43 is identical with the character input directionin the print area 34 (S330: YES), the process of FIG. 14 is ended. Ifthe two directions are not identical with each other (S330: NO), theprocess advances to S340 and the direction of the display content of thesample display 34 is changed to be identical with the character inputdirection in the print area 34. Thereafter, the process of FIG. 14 isended.

Next, the process for the “(3) automatic switching between floatingdisplay and pane display” will be described below. Referring to FIG. 15,in the first S410, whether the display range of the editing area 33 hasbeen changed by the user or not is judged. If the display range of theediting area 33 has not been changed (S410: NO), the process of FIG. 15is ended. If the display range of the editing area 33 has been changed(S410: YES), the process advances to S420, in which whether the settingfor executing the “automatic switching between floating display and panedisplay” has been made by the user operation through the setting window52 or not is judged. If the setting has not been made (S420: NO), theprocess of FIG. 15 is ended.

If the setting for executing the “automatic switching between floatingdisplay and pane display” has been made (S420: YES), the processadvances to S430 and whether or not the display range of the editingarea 33 changed by the user is a prescribed threshold value or more isjudged. While the threshold value can be changed freely by the user, thethreshold value may also be fixed as an invariable value. If the displayrange of the editing area 33 changed by the user is the prescribedthreshold value or more (S430: YES), the process advances to S440 andwhether the auxiliary area 41 is in the pane display or not is judged.

If the auxiliary area 41 is not in the pane display (S440: NO), theprocess of FIG. 15 is ended. If the auxiliary area 41 is in the panedisplay (S440: YES), the process advances to S450 and the configurationof the auxiliary area 41 is changed to the floating display. Thereafter,the process of FIG. 15 is ended.

If the display range of the editing area 33 changed by the user issmaller than the prescribed threshold value in S430 (S430: NO), theprocess advances to S460 and whether the auxiliary area 41 is in thefloating display or not is judged. If the auxiliary area 41 is not inthe floating display (S460: NO), the process of FIG. 15 is ended. If theauxiliary area 41 is in the floating display (S460: YES), the processadvances to S470 and the configuration of the auxiliary area 41 ischanged to the pane display. Thereafter, the process of FIG. 15 isended.

Next, the process for the “(4) automatic adjustment of floatingposition” will be described below. Referring to FIG. 16, in the firstS510, whether the arrangement position of the editing area 33 has beenchanged by the user in the state in which the auxiliary area 41 is beingdisplayed in the floating display or not is judged. If the arrangementposition of the editing area 33 has not been changed (S510: NO), theprocess of FIG. 16 is ended. If the arrangement position of the editingarea 33 has been changed (S510: YES), the process advances to S520, inwhich whether the setting for executing the “automatic adjustment offloating position” has been made by the user through the setting window52 or not is judged. If the setting has not been made (S520: NO), theprocess of FIG. 16 is ended.

If the setting for executing the “automatic adjustment of floatingposition” has been made (S520: YES), the process advances to S530 andwhether the arrangement position of the auxiliary area 41 in thefloating display is a position maximizing the viewable range of theediting area 33 or not is judged. If the arrangement position of theauxiliary area 41 is a position maximizing the viewable range of theediting area 33 (S530: YES), the process of FIG. 16 is ended. If thearrangement position is not a position maximizing the viewable range ofthe editing area 33 (S530: NO), the process advances to S540, in whichthe arrangement position of the auxiliary area 41 is changed to aposition maximizing the viewable range of the editing area 33.Thereafter, the process of FIG. 16 is ended.

As described above, according to this embodiment, at least one of theconfiguration, display content and arrangement position of the auxiliaryarea 41 is changed based on the status of the editing area 33, by whichthe viewability and operability of the editor 22 are improved.

While a description has been given above of a preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention, the present invention is not tobe restricted by the particular illustrative embodiment and a variety ofmodification, design changes, etc. are possible without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention described in the appendedclaims. For example, while the display control device in the aboveembodiment is implemented by functions of application software which isactivated on an OS, the display control device may also be implementedby a control program or purpose-built hardware of the device.

While the configuration, display content and arrangement position of theauxiliary area 41 are selectively controlled based on the result ofcontrol of the editing area 33 in the above embodiment, the displaycontrol device may also be configured to control only one or two of theconfiguration, display content and arrangement position of the auxiliaryarea 41 based on the result of control of the editing area 33. It isalso possible to simultaneously control two or more of theconfiguration, display content and arrangement position of the auxiliaryarea 41 based on the control result of the editing area 33.

While display direction of the sample display 43 is changed based on thecharacter input direction in the editing area 33 in the aboveembodiment, an embodiment changing display direction of all the displaycontent of the auxiliary area 41 based on the character input directionin the editing area 33 is also possible.

While the contents of the display status control function can be setfreely in the above embodiment, a configuration allowing the setting ofpart of the contents of the display status control function can also beimplemented. Further, a configuration fixing the contents of the displaystatus control function and allowing no user setting is also possible.

In a display control device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the second control means may control theconfiguration of the second display area to be wide in the horizontaldirection when the configuration or the display content of the firstdisplay area is controlled by first control means to be wide in thehorizontal direction, while controlling the configuration of the seconddisplay area to be long in the vertical direction when the configurationor the display content of the first display area is controlled by thefirst control means to be long in the vertical direction.

By the above configuration, the configuration of the second display areais set based on the configuration of the first display area, by whichthe operability and viewability of the first display area can beimproved.

In a program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,the second control means may control the configuration of the seconddisplay area to be wide in the horizontal direction when theconfiguration or the display content of the first display area iscontrolled by first control means to be wide in the horizontaldirection, while controlling the configuration of the second displayarea to be long in the vertical direction when the configuration or thedisplay content of the first display area is controlled by the firstcontrol means to be long in the vertical direction.

By the above configuration, the configuration of the second display areais set based on the configuration of the first display area, by whichthe operability and viewability of the first display area can beimproved.

In a display control device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the second control means may control theconfiguration of the second display area to be wide in the horizontaldirection when the character input direction in the first display areais set by the first control means to the horizontal direction, whilecontrolling the configuration of the second display area to be long inthe vertical direction when the character input direction in the firstdisplay area is set by the first control means to the verticaldirection.

By the above configuration, the configuration of the second display areais set based on the character input direction in the first display area,by which the character input into the first display area is made easier.

In a program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,the second control means may control the configuration of the seconddisplay area to be wide in the horizontal direction when the characterinput direction in the first display area is set by the first controlmeans to the horizontal direction, while controlling the configurationof the second display area to be long in the vertical direction when thecharacter input direction in the first display area is set by the firstcontrol means to the vertical direction.

By the above configuration, the configuration of the second display areais set based on the character input direction in the first display area,by which the character input into the first display area is made easier.

In a display control device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the second control means may control the displaycontent of the second display area to be in a horizontal direction whenthe character input direction in the first display area is set by thefirst control means to the horizontal direction, while controlling thedisplay content of the second display area to be in a vertical directionwhen the character input direction in the first display area is set bythe first control means to the vertical direction.

By the above configuration, display direction of the content of thesecond display area is set based on the character input direction in thefirst display area, by which the user can refer to the display contentof the second display area easily during the character input into thefirst display area.

In a program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,the second control means may control the display content of the seconddisplay area to be in a horizontal direction when the character inputdirection in the first display area is set by the first control means tothe horizontal direction, while controlling the display content of thesecond display area to be in a vertical direction when the characterinput direction in the first display area is set by the first controlmeans to the vertical direction.

By the above configuration, display direction of the content of thesecond display area is set based on the character input direction in thefirst display area, by which the user can refer to the display contentof the second display area easily during the character input into thefirst display area.

In a display control device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, in cases where the second display area has been builtin the first display area, the second control means may control theconfiguration of the second display area to let the second display areabe a display area independent of the first display area when the firstdisplay area is enlarged by the first control means.

By the above configuration, the second display area is separated fromthe first display area depending on the size of the first display area,by which the viewability and operability of the first display area canbe improved further.

In a program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,in cases where the second display area has been built in the firstdisplay area, the second control means may control the configuration ofthe second display area to let the second display area be a display areaindependent of the first display area when the first display area isenlarged by the first control means.

By the above configuration, the second display area is separated fromthe first display area depending on the size of the first display area,by which the viewability and operability of the first display area canbe improved further.

In a display control device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, in cases where the second display area is a displayarea independent of the first display area, the second control means maychange the arrangement position of the second display area to an areawithout the first display area when the first display area is moved bythe first control means.

By the above configuration, the arrangement position of the seconddisplay area is set based on the position of the first display areaafter the movement in the case where the second display area isindependent of the first display area, by which the viewability andoperability of the first display area can be maintained.

In a program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,in cases where the second display area is a display area independent ofthe first display area, the second control means may change thearrangement position of the second display area to an area without thefirst display area when the first display area is moved by the firstcontrol means.

By the above configuration, the arrangement position of the seconddisplay area is set based on the position of the first display areaafter the movement in the case where the second display area isindependent of the first display area, by which the viewability andoperability of the first display area can be maintained.

A display control device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may further comprise setting means for setting contents of thecontrol by the second control means.

By the above configuration, the contents of the change of at least oneof the configuration, display content and arrangement position of thesecond display area which is made based on the status of the firstdisplay area can be set, by which control according to the intention ofthe user can be realized.

A program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention mayfurther instruct the computer to function as setting means for settingcontents of the control by the second control means.

By the above configuration, the contents of the change of at least oneof the configuration, display content and arrangement position of thesecond display area which is made based on the status of the firstdisplay area can be set, by which control according to the intention ofthe user can be realized.

A display control device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may display an editing area (for displaying print content tobe printed by a printing device) in the first display area, whiledisplaying one or more icons (for calling functions for creating theprint content in the editing area) in the second display area.

By the above configuration, the print content to be printed by theprinting device can be created with efficiency.

A program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention maydisplay an editing area (for displaying print content to be printed by aprinting device) in the first display area, while displaying one or moreicons (for calling functions for creating the print content in theediting area) in the second display area.

By the above configuration, the print content to be printed by theprinting device can be created with efficiency.

In a display control device in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the printing device can be a device for printing on arectangular print medium whose length in a particular direction isvariable.

By the above configuration, the print content to be printed on a longand narrow print medium can be displayed across the full width of thescreen, by which the operability during the creation/editing of theprint content is improved.

In a program in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,the printing device can be a device for printing on a rectangular printmedium whose length in a particular direction is variable.

By the above configuration, the print content to be printed on a longand narrow print medium can be displayed across the full width of thescreen, by which the operability during the creation/editing of theprint content is improved.

Incidentally, the programs in accordance with the embodiments of thepresent invention which have been described above can be distributed tocomputers by storing them in a removable record medium such as a CD-ROMor a fixed record medium such as a hard disk, or via a communicationnetwork like the Internet by use of a wired or wirelesstelecommunication means.

1. A display control device for displaying a first display area and asecond display area on a screen, comprising: a first controller thatchanges and controls at least one of a first display content and a firstcharacter input direction of the first display area; and a secondcontroller that changes and controls at least one of a second displaycontent and a second character input direction of the second displayarea based on the at least one of the first display content and thefirst character input direction changed by the first controller, whereinthe second controller successively controls the second display contentor the second character input direction to be wide in a horizontaldirection when the first display content or the first character inputdirection of the first display area is respectively controlled by thefirst controller, in response to user manipulation of the first displayarea, to be wide in the horizontal direction, and the second controllersuccessively controls the second display content or the second characterinput direction of the second display area to be long in a verticaldirection when the first display content or the first character inputdirection of the first display area is respectively controlled, inresponse to user manipulation of the first display area, by the firstcontroller to be long in the vertical direction.
 2. The display controldevice according to claim 1, wherein when the second display area hasbeen built in the first display area, the second controller controls asecond configuration of the second display area to let the seconddisplay area be a display area independent of the first display areawhen the first display area is enlarged by the first controller.
 3. Thedisplay control device according to claim 1, wherein when the seconddisplay area is a display area independent of the first display area,the second controller changes a second arrangement position of thesecond display area to an area without the first display area when thefirst display area is moved by the first controller.
 4. The displaycontrol device according to claim 1, further comprising a setting systemthat sets contents of the control by the second controller.
 5. Thedisplay control device according to claim 1, wherein: an editing areafor displaying print content to be printed by a printing device isdisplayed in the first display area, and one or more icons for callingfunctions for creating the print content in the editing area aredisplayed in the second display area.
 6. The display control deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the printing device is a device forprinting on a rectangular print medium whose length in a particulardirection is variable.
 7. A computer-readable storage medium embeddedwith a computer program for use on a display control device fordisplaying a first display area and a second display area on a screen,the computer program comprising computer-executable instructions thatcause the display control device to function as: a first controller thatcontrols at least one of a first display content and a first characterinput direction of the first display area; and a second controller thatcontrols at least one of a second display content and a second characterinput direction of the second display area based on the at least one ofthe first display and the first character input direction changed by thefirst controller, wherein the second controller successively controlsthe second character input direction or the second display content ofthe second display area to be wide in a horizontal direction when thefirst character input direction or the first display content of thefirst display area is respectively controlled by the first controller,in response to user manipulation of the first display area, to be widein the horizontal direction, and the second controller successivelycontrols the second character input direction or the second displaycontent of the second display area to be long in a vertical directionwhen the first character input direction or the first display content ofthe first display area is respectively controlled, in response to usermanipulation of the first display area, by the first controller to belong in the vertical direction.
 8. The computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 7, wherein when the second display area has beenbuilt in the first display area, the second controller controls a secondconfiguration of the second display area to let the second display areabe a display area independent of the first display area when the firstdisplay area is enlarged by the first controller.
 9. Thecomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein when thesecond display area is a display area independent of the first displayarea, the second controller changes a second arrangement position of thesecond display area to an area without the first display area when thefirst display area is moved by the first controller.
 10. Thecomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 7, furthercomprising computer-readable instructions that cause the display controldevice to function as a setting system that sets contents of the controlby the second controller.
 11. The computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 7, wherein: a creation area for creating printcontent to be printed by a printing device is displayed in the firstdisplay area, and one or more icons for calling functions for creatingthe print content in the creation area are displayed in the seconddisplay area.
 12. The computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 11, wherein the printing device is a device for printing on arectangular print medium whose length in a particular direction isvariable.
 13. A display control device for controlling display on ascreen, comprising: a first controller that controls at least one of afirst display content and a first character input direction of anediting area for editing work; and a second controller that controls atleast one of a second display content and a second character inputdirection of an auxiliary area for displaying information for assistingthe editing work in the editing area depending on a change of the atleast one of the first display content and the first character inputdirection of the editing area made by the first controller, wherein thesecond controller controls the auxiliary area to be wide in a horizontaldirection when the editing area is controlled by the first controller,in response to user manipulation of the editing area, to be wide in thehorizontal direction, and wherein the second controller controls theauxiliary area to be long in a vertical direction when the editing areais controlled by the first controller, in response to user manipulationof the editing area, to be long in the vertical direction.
 14. A displaycontrol device for controlling display on a screen, comprising: a firstcontroller that controls at least one of a first display content and afirst character input direction of a print area with respect to anediting area for editing work; and a second controller that executescontrol so as to change at least one of a second display content and asecond character input direction of an auxiliary area for displayinginformation for assisting the editing work in the editing area to bewide in a horizontal direction when the at least one of the firstdisplay content and the first character input direction is wide in thehorizontal direction, respectively, and executes control so as to changeat least one of the second display content and the second characterinput direction of the auxiliary area for displaying information forassisting the editing work in the editing area to be wide in a verticaldirection when the at least one of the first display content and thefirst character input direction is wide in the vertical direction,respectively.
 15. A method for controlling display on a screen,comprising the steps of: detecting at least one of a first displaycontent and a first character input direction of an editing area forediting work; judging whether a change of at least one of a seconddisplay content and a second character input direction of an auxiliaryarea for displaying information for assisting the editing work in theediting area is necessary or not based on the detection of the at leastone of the first display content and the first character input directionof the editing area; and respectively changing the at least one of thesecond display content and the second character input direction of theauxiliary area to be wide in a horizontal direction when the at leastone of the first display content and the first character input directionis wide in the horizontal direction, and changing at least one of thesecond display content and the second character input direction of theauxiliary area for displaying information for assisting the editing workin the editing area to be wide in a vertical direction when the at leastone of the first display content and the first character input directionis wide in the vertical direction.
 16. A display control device fordisplaying a first display area and a second display area on a screen,comprising: a controller that: receives a user input; changes at leastone of a first display content and a first character input direction ofthe first display area in response to the user input; and changes atleast one of a second display content and a second character inputdirection of the second display area in response to the change in the atleast one of the first display content and the first character inputdirection, such that: wherein when the first display area is changed inway to overlap the second display area, the second display area ischanged such that the first and second display areas do not overlap, andwherein the second controller successively controls a secondconfiguration of the second display area to be wide in a horizontaldirection when a first configuration or the first display content of thefirst display area is controlled by the first controller, in response touser manipulation of the first display area, to be wide in thehorizontal direction, and the second controller successively controlsthe second configuration of the second display area to be long in avertical direction when the first configuration or the first displaycontent of the first display area is controlled, in response to usermanipulation of the first display area, by the first controller to belong in the vertical direction.